BACKGROUND: I have a linksys router connected to a DSL broadband connection
at home. I have a couple of laptops (both with dual connections for wired
and wireless), a desktop and a printer. I introduced another laptop which I
was setting up and configuring for a friend into the mix which acquired the
remaining IP connection on the router (sometimes I can't see the forest for
the trees). When I turned on my inspiron to use it, it could not connect to
the internet. This particular laptop is one that I carry with me and is used
on several private networks as well as using the at&t wifi public network, so
I can stop and use free wifi when I'm traveling. Thinking the router was the
problem, I reconfigured it from scratch. All of the other devices
reconnected flawlessly and are working fine.
PROBLEM: While reconfiguring it finally dawned on me that I had used up all
of the ports. I disconnected a device, so I could configure the inspiron.
As it was the middle of the night when I was working on it, I THINK I might
have defined the connection for home as public. I can change it to private
using the network and control center, but it does not pick up the private
network name. It says UNIDENTIFED NETWORK.
Let's just say it - I know enough to be dangerous, but I'm not a network
professional. I have disabled the wireless connection and have been working
with only the LAN connection. I can tell from IPCONFIG /ALL that it has a
PREFERRED connection address that is public and releasing it does not free it
from the PREFERRED public connection. I have customized the connection
using the Network and Sharing center from PUBLIC to PRIVATE. It will accept
the change in name, but it does not really do anything as the IP address is
still showing an external address for the broadband connection. If I
release and renew it goes back to public. As seen in some other posts, I have
disabled the IPV6 option.
Could someone please help me either repair this connection definition or
delete it, so I can start from scratch?
THANK YOU!

169.254.*.* is *NOT* a public IP, it is automatic addressing used by
Windows when DHCP fails.
First, insure that the WRT300N is indeed set up as a router, and not
as a bridge. You may want to reset to factory defaults temporarily.
Also, please see
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/928233/en-us
On Sat, 26 Jul 2008 15:16:00 -0700, Snapper
--
Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/
http://digitalmediaphile.wordpress.com

Snappe replied on 28-Jul-08 08:54 PM

Thanks for all of the replies. Turns out it continued to get worse until I
started having the Blue screen of death. The network adapter died. Thank
goodness it is under warranty. ;0)
Have a great week!
Susie